On a string and a prayer
Submitted by: MCB Camp Pendleton
Story Identification Number: 2003103174259
Story by Lance Cpl. Macario P. Mora Jr.



MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif.(September 17, 2003) -- Corporal Steven Kelsaw waited his turn as a brief moment of fear washed over him. He saw the look the frightened eyes, but brave face of the Marine in front of him, as he rappelled 100 feet from a hovering UH-1N Huey. The dreadful feeling of Kelsaw's stomach taking refuge in his throat quickly intensified as he realized he was next.

Kelsaw fastened the long, green rope to his harness and lowered himself to form an L-shape on the shuddering helicopter's skid. He drew in a deep breath and jumped. A moment later, hands burned as the rope zipped through his gloves.

Seconds became minutes and the gut-wrenching nausea turned to nirvana. This was Helicopter Rope and Suspension Training and Kelsaw was on his way to mastering the art.

In true Marine fashion, Kelsaw said it was nothing but routine.

"This is a pretty regular thing," Kelsaw said. "It's no big deal."

Twenty Marines from Company A, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion practiced sliding down ropes Sept. 16-17 in a HRST exercise in preparation for real scenario quick insertion tactics.

"The training is done as often as possible in order to keep Marines comfortable with the exercises," said Kelsaw, a reconnaissance Marine from St. Louis, Mo.

Helicopter Rope and Suspension Training is used to insert and extract Marines from areas where landing a helicopter isn't practical, such as urban areas or thick, wooded terrain, explained Sgt. Ryan Evans, from Ashtabula, Ohio, and a platoon radio operator.

The Marines participated in the two-day event, which began with a rappel off the 60-foot tower at Camp Margarita and concluded with a 100-foot rappel from the Huey. It's designed to keep up-to-date with insertion tactics used to strike the enemy, Evans said.

The Marines spent a full day on the rappel tower before launching from the Hueys. Sgt. David L. Cole, from Fresno and a HRST master, said the Marines have to do rappels from the tower before doing them from the helicopter.

"It's just the rules," said Cole.

The recon Marines don't always get a chance to practice rappelling from helicopters, but jump at the chance when it arrives.

"There isn't a set schedule," Evans said. "Whenever we can get a bird, we train."

Kelsaw said some Marines are headed out soon for deployment and the exercises should help in their preparatory readiness for the deployment.

"It is important that Marines are proficient in these operations," Cole explained. "They need to know how to do this. Marines need to know how to insert themselves in places helicopters can't land."

Most Marines participating in the event have done this training many times before. Cole said he's done HRST training dozens of times and each time is important in reiterating the importance of the training.

"This training is good," Evans said. "Any time you need to quickly insert Marines or do a quick raid of some sort, this is the training we rely on."

Initial jitters gave way as Marines gained confidence in their ability. By the end of the training, Marines upped the ante, practicing inverted rappels.

"We conduct this training for the Marines to become proficient in fast roping and rappelling," Cole said. "That's why they're here and that's what they need to take from this exercise."

Source:

Marine Corps News Online:

Ah yes,Inverted Rappels  A.K.A. Australian Rappels:

Here's a few  from the good ol' days, talk about a "rush"

Yeah, we were rough...

....tough, can't get enough ....

....until the Rappel / Jump Master did it.

Most humbling indeed. The camera guy couldn't even keep up with him when he was going down the wall.  Fast ? You have no idea. Made us feel like turtles...no matter how fast we went

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Recon recruits Marines from Miramar 1st Reconnaissance Bn. visits Air Station, conducts screening Submitted by: MCAS Miramar Story Identification Number: 2003103183732 Story by Cpl. Tara D. Smith MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif(Sept. 26, 2003) -- The beginning challenges of becoming a reconnaissance Marine took place at a recent screening conducted at the Miramar pool and red physical training course at 4:30 a.m. here, Friday. Any male Marine wishing to obtain the reconnaissance military occupational specialty, 0321, must be a United States citizen and releasable by their MOS monitor. The Marines must meet the following basic requirements: have a general technical score of 105 or higher on the armed services vocational aptitude battery, obtain a first class score on the physical fitness test, possess a combat water survival 1 qualification, be eligible for a secret clearance, have no page 12 entries in their service record book and have a minimum of 18 months remaining on current enlistment contract upon completion of the basic reconnaissance course. In addition, the Marine's Battalion or Squadron Commander must submit a written endorsement for them to take part in the screening. Many qualifications are mandatory for becoming the eyes and ears of ground forces. Some go through the screening process several times before obtaining the MOS. Corporal Christopher B. Davis, patrolman, Provost Marshal's Office and Twentynine Palms native explained he has "been out to the screening on a few different occasions, but I'm not going to give up until I succeed." With the logistical concerns out of the way, the screening process started off with a 25-meter underwater swim, a deep water rifle retrieval, a tower jump, a 30-minute water tread, a five-minute flotation with trousers and a timed 500-meter swim. After the pool portion of the screening was completed, the Marines jogged down to the red course to perform a physical fitness test. Once selected, Basic Recon Course Marines can expect to spend a lot of time in the water learning how to negotiate the surf and training with a Zodiac boat. Communication and land navigation skills are also covered during training. While B.R.C. training can be physically challenging it takes more than just brute strength to be successful. Mental strength weighs heavily in navigating the rigors of training. Staff Sgt. Anthony J. Rivera, training staff, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, explained, "to be successful, you can't just say it takes one type of person. You just got to have heart. You just have to have that desire." The motivation for desire can stem from different sources, whether it is the opportunity for travel or the advanced training the reconnaissance MOS provides. Davis said, "(Reconnaissance) is something different, I wanted to be more pro-active instead of reactive." First Sgt. Erik Shirreffs, Headquarters and Service company first sergeant, 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, explained another source of motivation, "Recon Marines have a reputation as the best of the best. We bring the finest the Marine Corps have to offer."